One of the biggest mistakes I made learning to surf was riding the wrong boards for way too long.
I started surfing at 28 on the Gold Coast and was pushed onto tiny high-performance boards almost immediately. At one point I was riding around 23 litres.
I could paddle. I could get out the back. But catching waves consistently was another story.
Then I started riding boards with more volume.
More waves. More confidence. More fun. Faster progression.
That’s why I wrote this guide.
Not as some pro surfer pushing tiny shortboards…
…but as someone who learnt later in life, struggled through the mental side of surfing, and eventually realised:
👉 the right board changes everything.
Especially for those learning later in life.
Many women assume they’re simply struggling because they started later, but the reality is that learning to surf after 40 comes with unique challenges that the right equipment can make much easier.
Quick Picks: Best Surfboards for Older Women
| Board | Best For | Why I Like It |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Gypsy Mid Tide | Best Overall Progression Board | Easy paddling, confidence-building, still manoeuvrable |
| Modern Highline 2.0 | Best Transition to Shortboard | Extra volume without feeling like a huge board |
| Gnaraloo Flounder Pounder | Best Beginner Softboard | Safe, forgiving, wave-catching machine |
| Salt Gypsy Dusty | Best Longboard for Cruising | Smooth glide, relaxed surfing, catches everything |
| Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy Dusty | Best Premium Longboard | Stylish, confidence-building, beautiful cruiser |
Jump to Section
- Why Most Women Struggle To Progress
- What Volume Should Older Women Ride?
- Best Softboard for Beginners
- Best Mid-Length for Progression
- Best Transition Board
- Best Longboard for Women
- How Wave Type Affects Board Choice
- Final Advice
What Is the Best Surfboard for Older Surfers?
There’s no special “senior surfboard.”
The best surfboard for older surfers gives you enough paddle power, stability and wave-catching ability without holding back your progression.
Look for:
- Enough volume to paddle efficiently
- Good stability
- Easy wave catching
- A shape suited to your local waves
- Enough performance to keep progressing
For many older surfers, a mid-length, funboard or longboard is a great place to start.
The goal isn’t the biggest board possible. It’s more waves with less wasted energy.
A lot of people think they need more confidence when sometimes they simply need equipment that supports progression.
👉 Read: Why Negative Thoughts Get Worse While Surfing
Before choosing a specific board, it’s worth understanding why certain boards suit different surfers. Read my full Ultimate Surfboard Selection Guide if you’re still deciding what type of board fits your goals.
Why Women Learning Later Often Struggle With the Wrong Board
👉 Read: Why Women Feel Intimidated in the Surf Lineup
From my own experience and years of coaching, one of the biggest mistakes I see women make is going too small too early.
A smaller board means harder paddling, later takeoffs and fewer waves. Add a crowded lineup and low confidence, and progression can stall quickly.
This is especially noticeable with women who hesitate, pull back when someone else paddles or worry about getting in the way.
That’s why I care more about wave count than how advanced your board looks.
More waves mean more repetitions, more confidence and more opportunities to improve.
For many women learning later in life, a mid-length, hybrid or forgiving higher-volume board will lead to faster progression than forcing themselves onto a tiny shortboard.
Confidence in the lineup is a much bigger part of surfing than most people realise, especially for women dealing with surf lineup intimidation and confidence issues.
The Confidence Problem Nobody Talks About
One of the biggest differences I notice with women learning later in life is that confidence plays a massive role in progression.
Especially in crowded lineups.
A lot of women:
- hesitate on waves
- pull back when someone else paddles
- worry about getting in the way
- feel intimidated by aggressive energy
- or feel embarrassed falling off
That hesitation affects everything.
Because surfing rewards commitment.
Many surfers don’t realise that hesitation is often linked to fear rather than ability, which is something I explore more deeply in Why Negative Thoughts Get Worse While Surfing.
And when you’re second-guessing yourself constantly:
👉 you miss waves
👉 you paddle late
👉 you burn energy
👉 and progression slows down fast
Then people think:
“I’m just not improving.”
When really:
👉 they’re simply not getting enough good waves.
One of the easiest ways to rebuild confidence after time away from surfing is choosing equipment that matches where you are now rather than where you were ten years ago. I discuss this further in Returning To Surfing After A Long Break.
Why Wave Count Matters More Than Performance
This is something I wish someone explained to me earlier.
The surfers progressing fastest usually aren’t the people riding the coolest boards.
They’re the ones:
- catching the most waves
- spending the most time actually surfing
- and building confidence through repetition
That’s why the right board matters so much.
More volume means:
- easier paddling
- earlier takeoffs
- more stability
- less exhaustion
- and usually… way more fun
And fun matters.
Because if every surf session feels frustrating or defeating:
👉 most people eventually quit.
The Mistake I See Women Make Constantly
A lot of women go too small too early because they want to:
- look like they know what they’re doing
- avoid oversized beginner boards
- or progress faster
Ironically:
👉 it usually slows progression massively.
Especially in weaker Australian waves where paddle power and wave count matter a lot more than high-performance surfing.
I honestly think many women would improve FAR faster if they spent more time on:
- mid lengths
- hybrids
- and forgiving higher-volume boards
Instead of trying to force themselves onto tiny shortboards too early.
The Goal Isn’t to Look Like a Surfer
The goal is:
👉 to actually enjoy surfing.
To feel:
- confident in the ocean
- comfortable paddling out
- excited for sessions
- and connected to the waves
Because once that happens:
👉 progression comes naturally.
And honestly?
Most women surf better when they stop trying to surf like everyone else.
What Kind of Surfing Do You Want to Do?
Before choosing a board, decide where you actually want your surfing to go.
Want easy paddling, glide and long rides?
Look toward longboards.
Want manoeuvrability without sacrificing wave count?
Look at mid-lengths.
Want to eventually shortboard?
Choose a higher-volume transition board rather than jumping straight onto a tiny shortboard.
There’s no right answer. Your board should match the surfing you actually want to do.
🏄 My Surfboard Recommendations for Older Surfers
These are the boards I’d consider for older surfers who want more wave count, easier paddling and room to progress. I’ve chosen several with older women in mind, because that’s who I most often see struggling with boards that are unnecessarily difficult to surf.
| Board | Best For | Skill Level | Surf Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gnaraloo Flounder Pounder | Nervous beginners | Complete Beginner | Confidence & wave count |
| Salt Gypsy Mid Tide | Best overall progression | Beginner–Intermediate | Smooth progression |
| Modern Highline 2.0 | Transitioning toward shortboards | Advanced Beginner–Intermediate | More performance without losing volume |
| Salt Gypsy Dusty | Longboarding & flowing style | Intermediate | Cruisy longboarding |
| Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy Dusty | Stylish lifestyle longboarding | Intermediate | Stylish cruising & glide |
🟢 Best Softboard for Beginners
Gnaraloo Flounder Pounder
If you’re completely new to surfing, nervous in the water, or rebuilding confidence after years away from surfing, this is honestly the kind of board I’d recommend starting on.
One thing I like about the Flounder Pounder is that it doesn’t feel like one of those giant beginner softboards that become frustrating after a few weeks.
It still has:
- heaps of stability
- loads of paddle power
- and plenty of volume
…but feels more fun and manoeuvrable than many oversized learner boards.
That means:
👉 you can actually keep progressing on it instead of instantly wanting to upgrade.
For women learning later in life, wave count matters more than almost anything early on.
And this board helps massively with that.
Why I Like It
- Soft construction = more confidence
- Easier paddling
- Forgiving takeoffs
- Safer around other beginners
- Builds confidence quickly
Best For
- Complete beginners
- Nervous surfers
- Women rebuilding confidence
- Smaller waves
- Learning ocean awareness
👉Check price and sizes here
🟡 Best Overall Progression Board
Salt Gypsy Mid Tide
Salt Gypsy Mid Tide — Best Overall Progression Board
If I could go back and choose one type of board earlier, it would probably be something like this.
The Mid Tide sits in the sweet spot between paddle power, wave-catching ability and manoeuvrability. You get enough help to catch plenty of waves without staying on an oversized beginner board.
I particularly like this style for women moving from beginner toward intermediate surfing, especially in weaker Australian waves.
Why I Like It
- Great wave count
- Easier paddling
- Builds confidence fast
- Still manoeuvrable
- More forgiving than shortboards
Best For
- Beginner to intermediate surfers
- Women wanting long-term progression
- Returning surfers – This is especially true for women who are returning to surfing after having children and rebuilding confidence in the ocean.
- Smaller or weaker waves
- Women learning later in life
👉 Check price and sizes here
🔵 Best Transition Board Into Smaller Boards
Modern Highline 2.0
This is the type of board I wish I discovered earlier.
One of the hardest jumps in surfing is going from:
- bigger forgiving boards
to - smaller performance boards
Most people make the jump too early.
And suddenly:
- wave count drops
- confidence drops
- frustration skyrockets
The Highline 2.0 bridges that gap really well.
It still carries extra volume and paddle power…
but feels much more responsive and performance-oriented than a traditional beginner board.
So you can start learning:
- tighter turns
- better rail control
- faster surfing
WITHOUT making surfing miserable again.
That’s a huge difference.
Why I Like It
- Extra volume without feeling oversized
- Easier transition toward performance surfing
- More forgiving paddling
- Better wave entry
- Builds confidence in steeper waves
Best For
- Advanced beginners
- Intermediate surfers
- Women wanting to shortboard eventually
- Faster progression
👉 Check price and sizes here
🌊 Best Longboard for Flow & Confidence
Salt Gypsy Dusty
This board feels completely different to frantic shortboard surfing.
The best way I can describe it is:
👉 smooth.
The Dusty is designed for flowing surfing rather than aggressive performance surfing.
And honestly?
That style suits a LOT of women.
Especially if your goal is:
- relaxed surfing
- glide
- stylish trimming
- easier wave catching
- and simply enjoying being in the ocean more
Longboards can completely rebuild confidence because they allow you to:
- catch waves earlier
- slow everything down
- and spend more time actually riding waves instead of fighting for them.
That said…
I do think it’s important to decide what kind of surfer you ultimately want to become.
Because while longboards are amazing in softer rolling waves…
they become harder in:
- steeper
- hollower
- faster waves
Which is why I personally think many women benefit from trying mid lengths as well before fully committing one direction.
Why I Like It
- Beautiful glide
- Easy paddling
- Confidence-building
- Stylish feel
- Excellent wave count
Best For
- Longboarding
- Smaller waves
- Stylish cruising
- Women wanting relaxed surfing
👉 [Check price and sizes here]
🧠 My Biggest Advice
Don’t just buy the board you think looks the coolest.
Buy the board that:
- gets you more waves
- builds confidence
- and makes you WANT to keep surfing.
That’s what actually improves your surfing long term.
👉 Check price and sizes here
✨ Best Premium Lifestyle Longboard
Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy Dusty
This is more of a lifestyle-style recommendation…
but honestly, I think that matters too.
Especially for women.
Sometimes loving your board makes you WANT to surf more.
And that matters.
This board keeps the same smooth flowing longboard feel as the standard Dusty…
but with a more premium aesthetic and beautiful design.
It’s the kind of board that suits surfers who genuinely love:
- ocean lifestyle
- slower surfing
- stylish glide
- and enjoying the whole experience around surfing.
Why I Like It
- Beautiful aesthetic
- Smooth longboard feel
- Confidence-building
- Easy paddling
- Stylish cruiser
Best For
- Lifestyle surfers
- Longboarding
- Stylish flowing surfing
- Smaller clean waves
👉 Check price and sizes here
Longboarding has it’s own special set of skill to hone in on. If this is your direction have a look here.
⚖️ The Best Approach (From My Experience)
If you want to shortboard:
👉 don’t start on a tiny board
👉 don’t stay on a massive board either
Instead:
👉 Choose something slightly bigger than your goal board
This is where most advice gets it wrong.
You don’t need the biggest board possible.
👉 You need a board that still lets you learn real surfing skills like:
- paddling into waves
- positioning
- duck diving
That’s why going slightly bigger — not massively bigger — works best.
Think:
- mid-lengths
- funboards
- step-up in volume
This lets you:
- catch waves
- build confidence
- AND learn real surfing skills
Your board choice becomes even more important when you’re preparing for a surf trip.
👉 Read: How to Prepare for Your First Surf Trip
🧍♀️ What I See as a Coach (Especially With Women)
The biggest challenges I see are:
💪 Upper Body Strength
- paddling
- Improving strength and fitness for older surfers can dramatically improve both confidence and wave count.
- If paddling or getting to your feet feels difficult, working on your surf pop up technique often helps more than people expect.
⚖️ Balance & Stability
- staying on the board – get your mobility and flexibility sorted here.
- controlling movement
🧘 Flexibility
- getting feet under you
- smooth pop-ups
👉 If your board is too small, all of this becomes harder
Better surf mobility and flexibility can make every aspect of surfing feel easier.
🌊 How Wave Type Affects Your Surfboard Choice
Your local waves matter as much as your ability.
Small, soft waves: more volume and length generally make catching waves easier.
Steeper, punchier waves: too much board can become harder to control and fit into the wave.
That’s why I’d choose a board for the conditions you actually surf most often, rather than the waves you hope to surf someday.
If you’re still learning conditions, read my guide to reading surf reports.
If you’re still learning how waves work, my guide to reading surf reports and predicting conditions will help.
Smaller, softer waves (like QLD)
👉 more volume helps
If you’re looking for beginner-friendly waves, check out my guide to the best places to learn to surf in Australia.
Faster, punchier waves
👉 too much board becomes harder to control
👉 A longboard in fast, steep waves?
Can feel:
- awkward
- hard to fit into the wave
- Learning proper duck dive and turtle roll techniques becomes much easier when you’re riding a board that suits your ability level.
📏 What Volume Should Older Surfers Ride?
There’s no single volume that’s right for older or senior surfers. It depends on your weight, fitness, confidence, experience, goals and the waves you surf.
But from what I’ve experienced myself and seen while coaching, many women learning later in life would benefit from riding more volume than they think.
Especially early on.
More volume helps with:
- paddling
- wave catching
- stability
- confidence
- and reducing exhaustion
As a rough guide:
| Skill Level | Suggested Volume Range |
|---|---|
| Complete Beginner | 45L–70L+ |
| Beginner | 40L–60L |
| Advanced Beginner | 38L–50L |
| Intermediate | Depends more on goals and wave type |
This isn’t about ego.
It’s about:
👉 catching more waves and progressing faster.
🧭 Simple Surfboard Direction Guide
Still unsure which direction to go?
Here’s the easiest way to think about it.
🟢 Choose a Longboard If:
- you love smooth flowing surfing
- mostly surf smaller softer waves
- want maximum wave count
- care more about glide than aggressive turns
- Longboarding has its own unique skills and style. If that’s the direction you’re heading, check out my guide on how to noseride a longboard.
🟡 Choose a Mid-Length If:
- you want easier progression
- still want manoeuvrability
- surf weaker Australian waves
- want the best balance between fun and progression
🔵 Choose a Transition / Hybrid Board If:
- your long-term goal is shortboarding
- you want tighter turns eventually
- but still need help with wave count and paddling
This is honestly where I think most women learning later in life progress fastest.
Related Reading
- Am I Too Old to Learn to Surf?
- Why Women Feel Intimidated in the Surf Lineup
- Surfing as a Single Mum
- Ultimate Surfboard Selection Guide
- Exercises for Older Surfers
- how to read waves
❓ FAQ
What size surfboard should older women use?
Older women learning to surf should use a board with enough volume to make paddling and wave catching easier — without going so large that it slows long-term progression.
What is the best surfboard for beginners?
A board with more volume that helps you catch waves easily — but not so big that it stops your progression long term.
Should beginners start on a longboard?
If your goal is relaxed, cruising surfing — yes.
If your goal is shortboarding — use something in between.
Is a small board better for learning?
Not usually.
👉 It reduces wave count, which slows progression
What matters more: board size or skill?
At the beginning:
👉 board choice matters more than skill
How do I know if my board is too small?
If you:
- struggle to catch waves
- feel unstable constantly
- rarely get to your feet
👉 it’s probably too small
What is the best surfboard for seniors?
The best surfboard for seniors is one that provides enough volume, stability and paddle power to make catching waves easier without unnecessarily limiting progression. A longboard, mid-length or higher-volume funboard can all work well depending on your fitness, experience and the waves you surf. Age alone shouldn’t determine your board.